Vehicle-spring lubricator



June 12, 1923. 1,458,590

J. J. OBRIEN VEHICLE SPRING LUBRICATOR Filed Noy. 10. 1922 2Sheets-Sheet 1 2 5 Z 5 1 1', I' H] E w'j. I! HUM;

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gnvewfo'c Joseph. J, O'Brien June 12, 1923. 1,458,590

J. J. OBRIEN VEHICLE S PRING LUBRICATOR:

Filed Nov. 10. 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 doseph n/f O'Brien dimau'w 5%., M m

wctmes ses flttozmg Patented June 12, 1923.

JOSEPH J. OBRIEN, OF GALVESTON, TEXAS.

VEHICLE-SPRING LUBRICA'I'OR.

Application filed November 10, 1922. Serial No. 600,021.

To allwlwm it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH J. OBnInN, a citizen of the United States,residing at Galveston, in the county of Galveston and State of Texas,have invented new and useful Improvementsin Vehicle-Spring Lubricators,of which the following is a specification. i

The object of my said invention is the provision of an eflicient vehiclespring lubricator' adapted to cause lubricant to see to the under centerof each spring leaf wit a view to thoroughly lubricating the entireunder surface of the leaf, and one which does not have to be frequentlyrefilled with lubricant.

' To the attainment of the foregoing the invention consists in theimprovement as hereinafter described and definitely claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification:

Figure 1 is an elevation of my novel lubricator with the shims omitted.

Figure 2 is an elevation taken at right an les to Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a vertical section taken in the plane indicated by the line3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a vertical section taken in the plane indicated by the line44 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a plan view of the absorbent stirrup comprised in thelubricator.

Figure 6 is a plan view, of one of the shims.

Figure 7 is a detail elevation of one of the side clamping lates of thelubricator.

Figure 8 is a p an view of the bottom plate of the lubricator.

Similar numerals of reference designate corresponding parts in all ofthe views of the drawings.

The spring leaves are numbered 1, and in accordance with my invention aflanged box 2 is superimposed on the series of leaves 1, the said box 2being equipped at its under side with a layer 3 of felt or otherappropriate material, and being equipped at its upper side with afilling cup 4. The flanges 5 of the box are apertured for the passage ofthe headed and threaded bolts 6, the said bolts 6 being arranged inpairs to alsopass through the apertures 7 in the bottom plate 8, whichplate 8 is also provided with slots 9 for the passage of the downwardlyreaching arms of the side clamping plate 13, the absorbent stirrup 10,is also by preference of felt. At 11 in the box 2 aredrip holes for theescape of lubricant from the box. It will also be noted by comparison ofFigures 3 and 5 that the absorbent stirrup 10 is provided with slots 12.The side clamping plates are designated by 13, and each is provided withlower apertures 14 and a pair of upper apertures 15, the lower apertures14 being provided for the reception of a threaded bolt 16 on which a'nut17 is mounted, and the apertures 15 serving to receive screws 18 whichalso reach through the up wardly reaching arms of the stirrup 10, asillustrated.

In furtherance of my invention I employ in association with thestructure described four metal shims 20, both extremities of eachextension end 21 of each shim being slotted, as designated by 22.

It will be noted from the foregoing that in practice all of the bolts ofmy novel lu- 'bricator are rendered taut, and when the cup 4 is filled.with fluid grease, fluid graphite or appropriate metal, the lubricantwill pass through the apertures 11 of the box 2 and down the sides ofthe spring, and will penetrate between the leaves of the spring, thelatter due to the/interposition of the shims in the relationillustrated. It will also be manifest that in virtue of the design ofthe shims, the lubricant will seep to the under center of each leaf, andhence will lubricate the entire under-surface.

The lubricator as shown and described has been reduced to actualpractice and successfully used, and experience has demonstrated that onefilling of the box 2 will last about seven weeks.

Incident to the use of my novel lubricator each leaf is lubricated fromthe center to the edges thereof, and there is no objectionable runningof lubricant along the sides of the spring or dripping of lubricant fromthe spring.

The screws 18 are passed through the upturned slotted ends of the shims,as illustrated.

I have entered into a detailed description of the construction andrelative arrangement of parts embraced in the present and preferredembodiment of my invention in order to impart a full, clear and exact understanding of the said embodiment. I do not desire, however, to beunderstood as confining myself to the said specific construction andrelative arrangement of parts,

inasmuch as in the future practice of the invention such changes ormodifications may be made as fairly fall within the scope of myinvention as defined by my appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is 1. The combination in a vehicle springlubricator, of a lubricant receptacle adapted to be arranged insuperimposed position on a leaf spring, said receptacle having dripapertures, a bottom plate for arrangement below a leaf spring, meansconnecting the receptacle and the said bottom plate, side clampingplates extending through slots in the bottom plate, means connecting thependant portions of said side clamping plates, a stirrup of absorbentmaterial arranged above the bottom plate and having upwardly reachingarms with openings therein, means connecting the side clamping platesand said arms of the absorbent stirrup to the receptacle, and shimsassociated plates and said arms .of the absorbent stir rup to thereceptacle, said means being in the form of bolts or screws, and shimsinterposed between leaves of the spring and having slotted extensionsreceiving in their slots thesaid bolts or screws.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature. JOSEPH J. OBRIEN.

bottom plate and having

